Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07LAPAZ1471
2007-05-30 11:59:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy La Paz
Cable title:
POPE'S COMMENTS SPUR VERBAL SPARRING IN BOLIVIA
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UNCLAS LA PAZ 001471
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BL
SUBJECT: POPE'S COMMENTS SPUR VERBAL SPARRING IN BOLIVIA
UNCLAS LA PAZ 001471
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BL
SUBJECT: POPE'S COMMENTS SPUR VERBAL SPARRING IN BOLIVIA
1. (U) Pope Benedict XVI's May 13 comments from Brazil
regarding the appearance of "authoritarian governments" in
Latin America and his statement that the indigenous "silently
longed" to embrace Christianity sparked an intense back and
forth between the GOB and the Bolivian Catholic Church.
Bolivia's Cardinal Julio Terrazas said May 15 that the GOB
does not recognize Bolivia's strong mestizo nature and that
since Morales' election, a sense of indigenous vindication
has emerged in some sectors, to include talk of armed
resistance. Responding to both the Pope and the Cardinal,
President Morales called on the church May 18 to decide
whether it wishes to dedicate itself "to prayer or to
politics." Santa Cruz Bishop Estansilao Dowlaszwic chimed in
by stating that the church will not "limit itself" to prayer
and that the church's role is to not only point out what is
right, but to identify and speak out on what is wrong in
society. In a May 21 communiqu entitled "Freedom of
Expression and the Common Good," the church united to explain
that it would not only pray but would continue opining on
social issues.
2. (SBU) Comment: As in most Latin American countries, the
Catholic Church plays an important role in Bolivian society.
Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, perhaps trying to reduce
tensions, made a public statement that relations between the
church and state are generally "good." Avoiding a direct
attack on Pope Benedict XVI, Garcia Linera added that he
preferred the words of John Paul II, who apologized for the
church's past mistreatment of the indigenous. End Comment.
GOLDBERG
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM BL
SUBJECT: POPE'S COMMENTS SPUR VERBAL SPARRING IN BOLIVIA
1. (U) Pope Benedict XVI's May 13 comments from Brazil
regarding the appearance of "authoritarian governments" in
Latin America and his statement that the indigenous "silently
longed" to embrace Christianity sparked an intense back and
forth between the GOB and the Bolivian Catholic Church.
Bolivia's Cardinal Julio Terrazas said May 15 that the GOB
does not recognize Bolivia's strong mestizo nature and that
since Morales' election, a sense of indigenous vindication
has emerged in some sectors, to include talk of armed
resistance. Responding to both the Pope and the Cardinal,
President Morales called on the church May 18 to decide
whether it wishes to dedicate itself "to prayer or to
politics." Santa Cruz Bishop Estansilao Dowlaszwic chimed in
by stating that the church will not "limit itself" to prayer
and that the church's role is to not only point out what is
right, but to identify and speak out on what is wrong in
society. In a May 21 communiqu entitled "Freedom of
Expression and the Common Good," the church united to explain
that it would not only pray but would continue opining on
social issues.
2. (SBU) Comment: As in most Latin American countries, the
Catholic Church plays an important role in Bolivian society.
Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, perhaps trying to reduce
tensions, made a public statement that relations between the
church and state are generally "good." Avoiding a direct
attack on Pope Benedict XVI, Garcia Linera added that he
preferred the words of John Paul II, who apologized for the
church's past mistreatment of the indigenous. End Comment.
GOLDBERG